ADMINISTRATION - Clark Arneson, City Manager
Title
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF RESTRUCTURING THE GOVERNANCE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL
Background
Representatives from Anoka, Carver, Dakota, and Scott counties have sent a request to metro area city officials seeking support for their proposal to restructure the governance of the Metropolitan Council to one made up of county and city officials. This Coalition of county and city leaders from the suburban metropolitan area have become increasingly concerned with a lack of accountability from the Metropolitan Council, especially as its scope of authority and involvement in regional issues continue to expand. It is their belief that an updated Metropolitan Council governance structure, one that makes the Met Council accountable to the regional constituency of those impacted by its decisions, would benefit this region greatly. The Coalition is seeking support for the attached principles for reform that would increase local participation and collaboration to help guide orderly growth and economic development in our region because while the Coalition supports the need for regional planning, collaboration and coordination, it seeks to expand local government representation on the Metropolitan Council. The Coalition believes the Metropolitan Council, due to its taxing and policy authority, should be accountable to a regional constituency of those impacted by its decisions and should not operate as a state agency-as it does in its current form-answerable to only one person, the Governor.
Recommendation
Adopt the proposed resolution in support of restructuring the governance of the Metropolitan Council.
Body
WHEREAS, regional planning and local government cooperation is vital to the continued success of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is, by statute, the regional planning agency for the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area, with broad authority, including the ability to levy taxes, charge fees and set regional policy; and
WHEREAS, cities and counties are the entities most directly affected by policies and financial decisions of the Metropolitan Council, making them the primary constituents of the Metropolitan Council; and
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council’s scope of authority and involvement in regional issues has expanded significantly over the years; and
WHEREAS, a governmental entity, particularly one with taxing authority, to be effective, must be credible, and responsive and accountable to those it represents; and
WHEREAS, the appointment of Metropolitan Council members resides solely with the Governor, effectively making the Governor the primary constituent of the Metropolitan Council; and
WHEREAS, many cities and counties believe that the Metropolitan Council lacks accountability and responsiveness to them as direct constituents; and
WHEREAS, many cities and counties believe that the authority to impose taxes and set regional policy should be the responsibility of local government elected officials; and
WHEREAS, reform is necessary to ensure that the Metropolitan Council is an effective, responsive, and accountable partner for regional development and progress.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Blaine City Council agrees that the Metropolitan Council, due to its taxing and policy authority, should be accountable to a regional constituency of those impacted by its decisions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Blaine City Council agrees the Metropolitan Council should not operate as a state agency answerable to only one person, the Governor, as it does in its current form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Blaine City Council supports reform of the Metropolitan Council that adheres to the following principles:
I. A majority of the members of the Metropolitan Council shall be elected officials, appointed from cities and counties within the region;
II. Metropolitan cities shall directly control the appointment process for city representatives to the Metropolitan Council;
III. Metropolitan counties shall directly appoint their own representatives to the Metropolitan Council;
IV. The terms of office for any Metropolitan Council members appointed by the Governor shall be staggered and not coterminous with the Governor;
V. Membership on the Metropolitan Council shall include representation from every metropolitan county government;
VI. The Metropolitan Council shall represent the entire region, therefore voting shall be structured based on population and incorporate a system of checks and balances.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Blaine this 3rd day of March, 2016.